"We would like to redshirt him," Phillips said. "Could he help us win this year? Yes, but it's hard to justify when we've got six tackles trying to get reps."

Trevathan back in familiar territory

Junior linebacker Danny Trevathan will be forced to wear a cast for a second straight season after breaking his left hand in the first half against Akron last week. Phillips said he isn't worried about the cast affecting Trevathan's performance. He had 82 tackles last year.

"If you're an arm tackler, yes it would (affect performance), but Danny's not an arm tackler," Phillips said. "Danny puts his face on people, he runs through tacklers. He tackles you with his face and his feet, and your arms are the last thing you need to tackle."

Phillips said there's no way Trevathan would let a hand injury force him to miss a game.

"He'd be like Ronnie Lott and say 'Cut it off,' " Phillips said. "He's a warrior, and he's been like that since he's been here. He's a tough guy, he's physical and he loves to play the game."

'Battle of the Backs'

UK senior tailback Derrick Locke said he'll definitely be focusing on his individual matchup with Florida's Jeff Demps. Locke leads the SEC in rushing at 124 yards per game. Demps is fourth at 103.3.

The No. 2 rusher in the league, South Carolina freshman Marcus Lattimore, comes to Commonwealth Stadium on Oct. 16.

"It's an SEC showdown so that's like 'Battle of the Backs' to me," Locke said. "If I let them go out there and outperform me, what does that make me look like? Week in and week out, it's me against your back. I need to make sure I hold my standards high."

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